Kamanada Eswarar Temple, Aragalur, Salem
Kasi is
so famous for Bairavar worship and Ashta Bairavar can be found and worshipped in Kasi
as it is extremely beneficial. For south Indian people, travelling to Kasi is
not that easy. For those who want to worship Ashta Bairavar in one place in
South India, the visit the temple is called Kamanada Eswarar temple. It is
situated in Aragalur, near Thalaivasal in Salem district of Tamilnadu.
This
temple prime deity is Sri Kamanada Eswarar. This Temple is famous for its Ashta
Bhairavar Icons. Geographical Position of this Temple is 11.562717°N
78.788238°E.
Legends
Kameshwara temple stala Purana indicates that the Kamadeva
woke up Siva at this place. There is a village named Kaamakkaapaliyam in this locality. Saint Vashista, is believed to have worshipped the Shiva Linga here.
History
Sri
Kamanada Eswarar temple was built prior to 1206 CE and hosts many Epigraphs of historic & Archaeological importance and it is maintained by Tamil Nadu
Government Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments ministry. The epigraphs
were collected by the British Raj in 1931CE and numbered it 408 - 455. Bhairava
pooja here is recent phenomena - since September 17, 1993CE, and it is getting
very popular and the village bustles with transient business.
Temple
Speciality
On the
day before Panguni Uthiram, morning sun-ray directly falls on the Lingam and is worshiped at this time by small number of
traditional local families. This next occurs on April 12, 2014 6:00 AM to 6:30
AM IST.
The
Temple
The vimana is of 3 levels and it has Temple
tank though dry for
most part of the year. Kapala Bhairavar is located on the gopuram. There is a
shrine for Gajalakshmi - Lakshmi with 2 elephants on either side in this
temple.
Bhishma
Bhairavar has his own open shrine outside the central temple. There is a shrine
dedicated to Lord Vinayaga in this Temple. Beautiful Nandhi facing the Kamanada
Eswarar can also be seen in this Temple. Ancient Kodimaram can also be seen in
this Temple.
Ashta
Bhairavar Icons installed at
Aragalur are:
·
Asitanga
·
Kala
·
Kapala
·
Krodha
·
Rudra
·
Ruru
·
Samhara
·
Unmatta
Following
Idols of Nayanmars can be found in this Temple;
·
Manickavasagar
·
Sundaramoorthy
·
Thirugnanasambanthar
·
Thirunavukarasar
Temple
Opening Time
·
Morning:
05.00 AM – 12.30 P.M
·
Evening:
04.00 PM – 09.30 P.M
Pooja
Timings
·
Kalasanthi
Pooja – 07.30 A.M
·
Uchikala
Pooja – 11.00 A.M
·
Sayaratchai
Pooja – 04.30 P.M
·
Ardhajama
Pooja – 09.00 P.M
Festivals
Bhairavar puja is celebrated in a grand way at the Sri
Kamanada Eswarar temple on
the 8th day after the new day (Ashtami) at midnight. This is probably the
only temple having like this Bairavar pooja in Tamil Nadu.
Aarudhra
Dharisanam is celebrated in
December each year (Tamil month of Margazhi on Thiruvathirai). Every ashtami
after full moon special pooja is done at midnight in aaragalur.People
worship ashtabairavar here for all problems to get easy remedy.
Nearby
Temples
Subrahmanyan Temple in the Market Street (Kadai Veedhi)
celebrates Soora Samharam every year on the 6th day of Karthika lunar Tamil
month.
Ambairamman Temple (11.571147°N
78.788109°E) is located on the banks
of Vasishta Nadi, has 2 Vinayakars that's unusual feature in this Temple.
Temple Cars
They are
Donated by Eramanchi Tulukanna
Nayaka 1518 under Vijayanagara Empire ruler Krishnadevaraya) in ruins - not maintained. The art work is brilliant
even in the current condition.
Connectivity
Aragalur
is located at a distance of 7 kms from Thalaivasal. It is located at a distance
of 75 kms from district headquarters Salem. Mini buses are available from
Thalaivasal. Nearest Railway Station is located at Attur & Salem &
Nearest Airport is located at Trichy & Coimbatore.
References